A special team of 500 Census collectors will be fanning out across the State on Tuesday 8 August, aiming to gather information on all Australians on vacation. The 500 collectors are in addition to another 2500 who visit suburban and rural properties.

The holiday-makers include the thousands of so-called ‘grey nomads’, who spend their winters up north, says the WA Census Unit’s Special Strategies Manager, Nathan Robbins.

“The Census is a once-in-five-year chance to capture data on the population, and that includes anyone who is not in their usual place of residence,” said Mr Robbins.

Mr Robbins said it is important for tourists to complete a Census form to ensure WA’s high-quality recreational facilities can be improved.

“The information we gather can be used by local authorities and State governments to improve things like national park access, mooring facilities and better roads,” Mr Jones said.

No part of the State is left to chance. A charter flight took forms to the northern tip at Kalumbaroo, and collectors will be active along the south coast, from Margaret River to the South Australian border.

“We make sure all the roadhouses across the Nullarbor receive forms, and in many remote areas the police form an important link in ensuring tourists can be counted,” said Mr Jones.